Lighted display

ABSTRACT

A lighted display providing a most interesting and unusual pattern of streaks of light intermittently pulsed inside an attractive housing. Light appears to travel in lines and in rotation and the effect is obtained from a light bulb mounted on one side of slots and the other side of which has transparent light conductor member such as &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Lucite&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Plexiglas&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; plastic moving across the slot. In one form the light conducting members are in different shapes and are mounted substantially vertically from a turntable which is motor driven on an enclosed base in which is a pair of slots and respective projection lamps so that as the bottom edge of each light conducting member passes across the respective slot it receives a pulse of light momentarily which is conducted through that member at least momentarily while it continues to rotate. For additional effect the turntable and light conducting members are contained within a plastic housing which has opaque sides, red tinted sides and blue tinted sides. In another form the light conducting members are carried by a revolving belt around a cylindrical member in which is mounted a projection lamp inside a second drum in which is a slot communicating with the edge of each light conducting member of which there are several radiating from the drum. In another form the light conducting members are mounted on a slotted belt which is rotated over a transparent drum in which is mounted a second drum in which is mounted the projection lamp and there is a slot in the drum through which the light is conducted.

nited States Patent 1 Bricker I LIGHTED DISPLAY [76] Inventor: Albert W. Bricker, 845 Wilson Road,

Atlanta, Ga. 30318 [22] Filed: Jan. 25, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 109,480

[52] US. Cl 40/l06.52, 40/33, 40/130K,

240/10.1 [51] int. Cl.....; F2lp 03/00 [58] Field of Search 40/33, 130 K, 106.52; 240/10.1, 1 EL; 340/380; 356/25 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,431,410 3/1969' Dolan et al. .,240/10.1 2,593,331 4/1952 Morton 40/33 X 3,184,872 5/1965 Way 40/130 K X 3,399,476 9/1968 Davis 40/130 K 2,333,492 11/1943 Ridge 40/1 EL 2,722,762 11/1955 Krajian 40/130 K 1,351,562 8/1920 Foster 340/380 1,975,876 10/1934 Stem r 356/25 X 2,843,002 7/1958 Allison 40/130 K X 2,507,909 5/1950 Kaysen 40/130 K 2,120,813 '6/1938 Riotte.....'. 240/1 EL Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-John F. Pitrelli Attorney Patrick F. Henry [57] ABSTRACT A lighted display providing a most interesting and un [4 1 June 12, 1973 such as Lucite or Plexiglas plastic moving across 1 the slot. In one form the light conducting members are in different shapes and are mounted substantially vertically from a turntable which is motor driven on an enclosed base in which is a pair of slots and respective projection lamps so that as the bottom edge of each light conducting member passes across the respective slot it receives a pulse of light momentarily which is conducted through that member at least momentarily while it continues to rotate. For additional effect the turntable and light conducting members are contained within a plastic housing which has opaque sides, red tinted sides and blue tinted sides. In another form the light conducting members are carried by a revolving belt around cylindrical member in which is mounted a projection lamp inside a second drum in which is a slot communicating with the edge of each light conducting member of which there are several radiating from the drum. In another form the light conducting members are mounted on a slotted belt which is rotated over a transparent drum in which is mounted a second drum in which is mounted the projection lamp and there is a slot in the drum through which the light is conducted.

2 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures LIGHTED DISPLAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART There are early animation devices such as the phenakistascope and zoetrope. Known prior art devices also include those which utilize illuminated members mostly project an image or colored light on a panel or a scene which changes mechanically from time to time. There is essentially and virtually no air of mysticism about such an arrangement since the operation and illumination is fairly obvious to most observers. In the field of fiber optics light is conducted through solid bodies to present unusual and unique patterns. Such arrangements are very interesting and command much attention but can be extremely costly and difficult to operate. The present device in a sense may simulate fiber optics but without using the materials and arrangement of fiber optics. Display devices should be interesting and unusual and command the utmost attention when there is an air of mysticism and lack of understanding. Known prior art devices are so well known in arrangement that they lack the novelty and unusual presentation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Moving, light conducting members such as plastic pieces receive a short burst of light in passing across a slotted opening and are moved and housed in such a manner as to present an air of mysticism with an appearance of moving light without the appearance of I moving mechanism. In one form a simple turntable with slotted openings and pieces of light conducting plastic housed in a plastic casing provide interesting and unusual patterns of light that escape immediate detection as to construction and operation. Unlike more complicated fiber optics and other illuminated devices there are no complex switches, limit switches or contact switches and there is no complex arrangement of sequential relay operation and other more expensive and less durable equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred form of the present invention utilizing a turntable with plastic members thereon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 partly disassembled.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally in a direction indicated by lines 3-3 in FIG. 4 with parts in place.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the turntable in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of one of the plastic light conducting members.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another form of the present invention utilizing a drum.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another form of the present invention utilizing a belt.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another version of the 7 present invention utilizing strobe lights.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is designated generally by reference numeral 10 and comprises an at? tractive outer casing or housing designated generally by reference numeral 14 which is constructed in box-like formation with opaque sides 16, transparent sides 18, and opaque top 20 and an open bottom 22 which fits about the upstanding rim 24 of a base designated generally by reference numeral 26 and which is box-like in formation with sides 28 and a bottom 30. A cover 32 mounted within the base 26 has an opening 34 exposing a small fan blade 36 on a motor shaft of motor 38 which is attached to the bottom 30. A conventional phonograph turntable drive assembly designated generally by reference numeral 40 comprises an electric motor 41 which drives a pulley 42 having a rubber peripheral edge and which drives a depending flange 44 on the turntable 46 which is supported for rotation on a shaft 48 attached to the cover 32.

Cover 32 includes raised platforms 50 in which are respective slots 52 and the slots 52 are diametrically opposed about the shaft 48 to be on opposite sides of the turntable 46.

Turntable 46 is constructed from lightweight metal, plastic or the like and has attached thereto in slots 54 therein a plurality of light conducting members 56 made from thin plastic material such as Plexiglas or Lucite" and of irregular and odd shaped patterns as shown in FIG. 1. Light bulbs 62 are mounted beneath the respective slots 52 and are inserted in conventional electrical sockets 64 attached to base 30. Electricity is delivered to the base and through suitable wiring to each of the electrical components from a plug-in wire 66 that plugs into any conventional wall socket. The input lines 66 may be wired to a switch 70 providing on-off operation of the entire unit 10.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, light through one of the slots 52 is conducted through the slot 54 and the light conducting members 56 and since these members are in odd and irregular formation having voids and openings therein the light is conducted in an irregular and unusual pattern for each one of the light conducting members and with notches and grooves such as 72 therein the light is caused to burst from the side or face 74 as well as many other and varied patterns and effects of light. At the same time the turntable 46 is rotating so the light conducting member receives through the turntable speed of 78 rpm. This coupled with the opaque side 16 and the translucent sides 18, particularly in a subdued light or darkened room, produces a most unusual, mysterious and commanding pattern. The light appears to come from arcs of electrical energy as might be produced by high voltage between certain points or the effect obtained by some complex and expensive fiber optic devices which are controlled from sensitive relays and switching means. Actually as noted herein the effect in the operation is quite simple and the materials are relatively inexpensive. The plastic, for example, used in the members 56 can be scrap pieces obtained from many different plants as waste material.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the same result is obtained and the principle is the same by means of a drum assembly designated generally by reference numeral 100 having slots 102 therein in which are mounted radially extended plastic light conducting members 104 which in this case are all regular and rectangular pieces of material suitable for carrying a message thereon. Drum assembly 100 includes the outer drum 106 to which the light conducting members 104 are attached in the slots 102 and also includes an inner drum 110 mounted concentrically therewith with respect to a longitudinal support shaft 112 supported on a metal frame or bracket member 114 attached by screws 116 to the outer edge of drum 106. The inside drum 110 has a longitudinal slot 118 through the shell thereof and there is a light bulb 124 mounted inside the inside drum 110 in a conventional electrical fixture 126. The entire device may be mounted in a plastic housing (not shown) with suitable opaque sides and tops as desired.

In the operation of the device shown in FIG. 7, the inner drum 110 is stationary on the housing whereas the outer drum assembly with drum 106 and the light conducting members 104 is caused to turn by rotating shaft 112 which is attached to bracket 114 whereas a support shaft 130 maintains the inner drum 110 in stationary position. The effect obtained is similar to that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that light momentarily entering the edge of each light conducting member 104 is conducted therethrough momentarily at the same time the entire assembly of the light conducting members 104 is rotated inside of any housing.

The embodiment in FIG. 9 is similar to that of FIG. 7 and the primary difference is in the use of a belt 160 instead of a drum 106. In FIG. 9 a stationary, fixed inner drum or housing 150 has a stationary projection lamp 152 therein and there is a slot 154 through the inner drum 154. A transparent revolving drum 156 supported outside of drum 150 has a continuous belt member 160 with slots 172 driven therearound and across a bottom drive means designated generally by reference numeral 164 and comprising a drive roller 166 which continuously drives belt 160. Belt 160 may be made from fabric or a combination of fabric and rubber or the like and has a plurality of metal brackets 170- a pattern or message 184 contained on the face of-each of the light conducting members 174 or theymay be different colors or some other arrangement can be made.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 there is shown a version in which ordinary strobe lights such as Xenon tubes are used to provide pulsating light to the light conducting members. The device is designated generally by reference numeral 200 and comprises a box-like base 202 on which is mounted a motor driven turntable 204 from a motor 206 with a shaft 208 similar to the previous version in FIG. 1. Also similar to the previous version there are light conducting members of Plexiglas or other plastic 210 fastened to the turntable 204 with slots therebeneath through which light can be conducted to the members 210. Mounted in dish-like light reflecting reflectors 212 which may be made from brightly polished aluminum, stainless steel or mirror finished material of any kind, are Xenon strobe light tubes 214 wired through respective electric circuitry 216 and 218 to a strobe light pack 220 of conventional construction which has a source of electrical energy 221 and common electrical component means for flashing and pulsing the strobe lights 214 at intervals. Such construction is common in the photographic field as well as other fields and ordinarily a capacitor is charged at intervals by current which stores a high potential of electrical energy therein that is immediately dissipated by opening the circuit to the respective bulb 214. The bulbs 214 are timed and synchronized with the passage of the turntable 204 and the light conducting members 210 to pulse through the respective light conducting members 210 in the pattern preprogrammed and preselected.

'In the version shown in FIG. 13, a box-like base 240 has a motor 242 therein driving a shaft 244 which includes a commutator segment 246 leading from a source of electrical energy through the circuit 248 to the circuit 250 which also leads through circuit 252 to the motor 242. The top of the base supports a platform 244 on which are mounted the light conducting members 246 similar to previous arrangements. Slots in the platform 244 correspond to the edges of the respective light conducting members 246 and light through the slots is conducted through the members 246 in a pattern as previously discussed. A light bulb 248 is mounted in a compartment 250 in a turntable 251 attached to the shaft 244 whereby operation of the motor 242 turns the turntable 251 and carries with it the light 248 passing beneath the respective slots. By this arrangement the pattern is obtained as in the previous embodiments.

It will be obvious that there are other variations which are apparent to one having no more than ordinary skill in the art as for example in the embodiments of FIG. 1 or FIG. 13 it is possible to accomplish a pattern by placing the bulb, for example, 248 of embodiment, FIG. 13, stationarily on the base of the motor 242 and put preselected apertures in the turntable 251 which match at selected places and intervals with the edges of the respective members 246 or the platform 244 could be made from plastic colored in proper places to be opaque, transparent or translucent.

In the illustrative diagram shown in FIG. 14 and 15 it is demonstrated that the more narrow the path of light through which the edge of the Plexiglas travels the briefer the pulse of light to which it is exposed and the more satisfactory the effect. In FIG. 14 a clear bulb 260 with a filament 262 covered by a shield 264 in which is an aperture 266 produces a pattern of confinement of light represented by the intersecting lines 268 striking theturntable 270. In the frosted bulb example in FIG. 15, a frosted bulb 280 with a filament 282 mounted beneath a shield 284 in which there is an aperturn 286 directs the path of light in confinement in a larger pattern represented by the dashed intersecting lines 288 which strike the turntable, 290,0n which is mounted the Plexiglas shaped light conducting member 292.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of this invention together with alternative forms thereof this is by way of illustration only and does not constitute any sort of concernment to any particular thing since the principle involved will apply to many different arrangements and therefore there are many alterations, changes, deviations, eliminations, additions, substitutions, omissions, departures and revisions which may be made in the forms shown herein without departing from the scope of my invention as defined in the appended Claims.

What is claimed:

1. In a display device:

a. a plurality of spaced light conducting members ar- 6 ranged to receive a pulse of light therein from a light source,

b. a source of light and means for directing said light to a path to each of said light conducting members,

0. means for introducing pulses of light to the light conducting members,

d. and a housing in which said light conducting members pulse,

e. there is a movable support,

f. said light conducting members are a plurality of plastic strips having an edge portion supported on said movable support,

g. means for continuously driving said movable support,

h. and said movable support is a rotating turntable and each of said plastic strip light conducting members has an edge fitted in a slot in said turntable.

2. The device claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said turntable is mounted on a support in which is mounted the light source,

and there is a slot in said support through which light is directed to each edge of said light conducting member in sequence. 

1. In a display device: a. a plurality of spaced light conducting members arranged to receive a pulse of light therein from a light source, b. a source of light and means for directing said light to a path to each of said light conducting members, c. means for introducing pulses of light to the light conducting members, d. and a housing in which said light conducting members pulse, e. there is a movable support, f. said light conducting members are a plurality of plastic strips having an edge portion supported on said movable support, g. means for continuously driving said movable support, h. and said movable support is a rotating turntable and each of said plastic strip light conducting members has an edge fitted in a slot in said turntable.
 2. The device claimed in claim 1, wherein: said turntable is mounted on a support in which is mounted the light source, and there is a slot in said support through which light is directed to each edge of said light conducting member in sequence. 